Sport

In-form Stillington gelding Light The City tipped for Southwell success

North Yorkshire gelding Light The City, who has been a revelation since early December, can continue his excellent career revival at Southwell this afternoon.

Trained at Stillington by Ruth Carr, Light The City has won three of his last four races and finished second in the other.

Two of those successes came over hurdles, but the latest was achieved on the Flat on this course last week when he bolted home by nine lengths in an amateur riders’ event in the hands of Serena Brotherton.

The handicapper will take his revenge in due course, but for the moment, Light The City can line up here with only a 6lb penalty to carry.

James Sullivan has the mount this time and although this looks a tougher assignment than last week, Light The City is in such cracking form at present that he will surely make a bold bid.

In the featured Ladbrokes Handicap, Hannahs Turn promises to go well for Newmarket trainer Chris Dwyer.

The four-year-old goes well on this course, won here three starts ago and now steps up to seven furlongs. Luke Morris has the mount.

Playtothewhistle seeks to recover losses in the Download The Ladbrokes App Maiden Stakes.

Trained at Hambleton by Bryan Smart, Playtothewhistle started favourite on his reappearance three weeks ago on this course but had to settle for second place. He now steps up an extra furlong and with his latest run under his belt, he should play a leading role under Paddy Aspell.

Outrageous Request (3.40), winner of his one and only outing last season, and the consistent Intense Feeling (4.10) are two others to note on the all-weather Flat card.

Over the sticks at Ayr, Tony McCoy looks poised to continue his relentless search for winners after hitting the target at Catterick yesterday.

Donald McCain’s charge was a dual-winner in bumpers before finishing third at Wetherby on his hurdling debut. He ought to go well over the minimum trip.

Layla Joan is an interesting ride for McCoy in the BetVictor.com National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.

The six-year-old, trained in Ireland by the shrewd Gordon Elliott, has won his last two races, a point-to-point and two hurdles, including one here last month. A bold show looks assured.

She Ranks Me, another McCain runner, will be the focus of much attention in the Bank of the Net At BetVictor.com Novices’ Chase.

Jason Maguire’s mount proved herself a high-class performer over hurdles, twice winning in Listed company and elevating her rating to 134. This is her first run over fences and she could be different class to her rivals. She carries the nap vote.

Gansey, a course and distance winner, has every chance of defying top-weight in the BetVictor Live Casino Handicap Chase.

The veteran campaigner was narrowly beaten at Haydock on his latest start when, after looking the most likely winner at the final fence, he went down battling to Kilcrea Asla. Compensation may await him here.

Scimon Templar (2.55), narrowly beaten at Newcastle on his reappearance four weeks ago, and newcomer Heritage Way (5.00), who hails from a yard which does particularly well in bumpers, are two others to note in Scotland.